Apparatus for forming fuel charges



Patented Jan. 1l), 192..`

UNITED STATES SAMUEL E. Uli' LANCASTER, ."EJENli'ElYIZVl-LNIA.

i'liF-ARATUS FR FORI/ENG FUEL CHARGES.

implication filed April 15, 19537.

lllhis invention relutes to u method sind upperotus for forming; fuel charges.

lt is the present practice in, forming ituel charges for oil burners and the hire to clonvey the liquid fuel'to the burner, nur the fuel with reletively pure oir to support combustion und then to burn the couilnislible charge thus formed. 'lhe present types of burners lieve been found to be relatively inelicient, it being e'i-:treniely diltleult to obtain complete combustion ofthe fuel.

1t is en importent object of the present invention to provide n method of forming fuel charges particularly for use with oil f buri'iers, whereby more perfect combustion is obtained with u consequent reduction in e: :bon formations :ind u corresponding increuse in heet units derived frein e given quzuitty of fuel.

fr further object is to provide u nietliod wherein the nir supplied to the burner to support combustion ezirries :i relatively smell quantity of combustible fuel preferubly 1n the forni of relatively snuill globules Whereby combustion is greetly assisted und rendered more perfect.

r1 further object is to provide o n'iethod of the churecter referred to wherein the :iir to be conveyed to the burner to support coinbustion is iirst intiniotely iniiied with the fuel to 'tolte up fuel in the forni of smell globules und then to sopor-:ite the oir freni the l`(greater portion of the fuel whereby the letter muy be fed to the burner in the usuel n'mnner und the nir n'uiy be fed to the burner cherged 'with :i relatively smell proportion of the fuel.

A further object is to provide :i novel foi-in of :iililntrntus whereby the. nir to be conveyed to the burner to support combustion .tney be charged with n sinell quantity of fuel for the purposes setforth above.

It further object is to provide ineens for intimately mixing the fuel with the sir subsequently to be used to support combustion and then to seperate the greater portion of the liquid fuel from the nir vvl'iereby it may be conveyed to the burner, the nir then being; also conveyed to the burner charged vvith ai relatively sinell proportion of the fuel end mixed `with the liquid fuel to support coinbustion.

er fui-t ier object is to provide ineens essocieted With nn upperetus of the character referred to for governing the amount of fuel and nir supplied.

Serial No. 184,168.

il further object to provide :L fuel tank :idnpted to contein liquid fuel et it construit level, and to provide ineens for supplying in tinnitely mired fuel und nir to the tank above the level of the oil therein, the tenir being provided with ineens for separating the nir from the grenier portion of lthe fuel whereby the letter will drfiin into the bottoni of the teni; to be supplied to the burner, und Whereby the oir, charged with :i relatively sinell proportion of fuel, may be conveyed to the burner.

fr further object is to provide en epperntus of the character just referred to having ineens for governing `the supply of fuel neeording to the level of the fuel in the` trink, und to provide ineens for mixing the nir und fuel und injecting` it into the tenir to he pnrtizilly seimrnted in the manner above referred to.

il further object is to provide en apparatus of the chiirecter just mentioned wherein u pressure is n'iuinteined Within the tank to feed both the fuel und the air charged with the fuel to the burner whereby it'inny be burned7 ineens being provided for varying the supply of oir to the teni; according to the pressure therein.

Other objects und advantages of the in vention Will become -iippnrent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodinient of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is :i central vertical sectional view of the apparatus, ports beingl shown in eleve tion. :1nd,

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates o suitable teil( adopted to contuin e body of liquid fuel 11. A. pipe 12 is connected at its outer end to u source of li piid fuel supply, such :is u fuel oil tank, the inner end of this pipe projeetingl into the tenir 10 and being provided with o regulating; valve 13 adapted to control the flow of oil through the pipe 12. it floot 14: is :idnpted to rest upon the body of fuel 11 Aund is secured to en erin 15 pivotelly connected to the velve 13, us at 1G. This vulve has n stein 1i' adapted to Contact with the erin 15 Wherehy the flow of oil through the valve 13 inny be tf i'overned according; to the position of the fleet 1&1, the letter being dependent upon the level of the oil 11.

The valve 13 is connected to an outlet is e detail section on line Q-2 vpipe 18 which; extends from the tank 10, as

shown in Figure 1, and at its outer end, the p1pe18 communicates with the interior of a i uma or com ressor cvlinder 19. A check valve 2O is preferably arranged inthe pipe 18 to prevent the flow of. fuel outwardly from the cylinder 19. A piston 21 is mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder 19 and is provided with a cheek valve 22, as shown. A piston rod`23`is connected to the piston 21 and is adapted to be operated from any suitable source of power.

y 26 is' connected to the stemV of the valve 25 to operate it ina manner to be described. The pipe 24: alsois provided with a check valve 27' to prevent. the tlow of air outwardV Vly'from the cylinder 19, and the ycuter end of i the pipe 24l`is open to the atmosphere.

VThe piston 21 is adapted to pump air and 'fuel from 'the cylinder 19 to the interior et the tank 10 through a pipe 28, the inner end otiwhieh is arranged above the level ot the oil within the tankp A baii'le`29 is arranged within lthe tank to intercept the mixture pumped thereinto and this baffle ispreferably in the form ot a cone having its apex 30 arranged in alinement with the pipe 2S.

The arrangement described is the preferred one, but/it will beapparent that it is not essential to the voperation of the apparatus. The upper portion of the base ol thel cone may be provided witha llange 31 welded or otherwise secured to the wall of the. tank 10. The baseofthe cone is preferably angularly arranged with respect to the adjacent portion of the wall of the tank, as indicated at 32,"tlius providing a space 33 between the cone and the wall of the tank, as indicated in Figure 2. A wire or rod 34 is secured withinthe lower portiony of the cone and has its lower extremity 35 bent to fit'ag'ainst the wall et the tanky 'lhe wire or rod 34; also serves as supporting;i means tor 'the lower extremity ot the cone whereby it will be arranged to provide thespace 83, and the wire maybe welded or otherwise secured both to the cone and to the tank, as will be apparent. HA supporting bracket 36 is secured to the topY otthe tank'and pivotally supports a lever 37; as at 88. rlhe outer extremity of the lever ispivotally connected as at 39 to the upper end of a link l0, the lower end of this/link being` pivot-ally connected to the outer endV ofthe arm 26 as at 41. A pipe 42 communicates with the upperend of the tank to convey `pressure from the tank to a pressure responsive member 113 adapted to actuate a rod t. rlhe pressure responsive member maybe of any desired form. The upper end of the rod 44- is pivotally connectedy to the inner end of the lever 37, as at 45.

and it will be. apparent that the pressure responsive member is adapted to actuate the lever 37 and valve arm to vary the pas- Sage oit air through the pipe 24e according; to the pressure present in the tank 10.

i.. pipe lll is connected at its lower end to the upper end ot' the tank 10, and a pressure gage l? may be arranged on the upper end ci the pipe 116. A branch pipe fill is connected at one end to the pipe lll and is adapt ed to deliver air and a relatively small quantity ot iuel to a burner el) et any desired type. A suitable controlling valve 5l) may be arranged in the pipe all. Liquid tuel is delivered to the burner from the 'lower portion oli tl e tank 10 through :i pipe 5l adapt ed to be controlled by a valve The operation ot llie .ukniaralus is lows:

(lil is supplied to the pipe Ai2 eolie storuee tank, and the passante olE oil through this Lipe is regulated liv the valve 13. the latter lieinjgj coin i olled hy the position oi the iloat lil. l'hus it will he apparent that, the liow oi oil to he delivered lo the tank in the manner to he described will he revel-ned by the quantity ot iuel .in the lank to maintain a constant level therein. the valve 13 the i'uel flows through the pipe 1S. and movement ot the pistou 21 toward the inner end ot the cylinder 19 is adapted lo draw 'fuelinto the latter. This saine morement ot the piston also draws air into the cylinder through the pipe 2l, and the nievement ot the piston serves to agitate the air and oil, tendingl to mix them. Upon oulward movement oi" the piston 2l the oil and air will flow past the valve 22 into the opposite end of the cylinder` and the passage ol the oil and fuel past the valve 22 serves lo maintain the mixture ol luel and air. 'l`he check valves 2O and 2T are adapt-ed lo prevent outward movenient oi the tuel and nir from the ejg'linder. hul' it will he appui-en! that it a fuel supply tank is arranged ahorn the cylinder 19. lli-e 'luel will lie supplied thereto by lgravity.

',lhe mixed l'uel and air will lie punipeil under pressure through the pipe 2S and will be impacted against ille cone 29 which is adapted to act as :i baille and condenser. lhe greater portion oit' the oil striking; llie hallle 29 will flow downi u idly7 and will drain -lroni the bottom oit the cone. the capillary ultraction oi? the wire or rod 234i aiding; this action. The air will flow into the tank through the space 33, and it has been tound that :iV small proportion ot 'fuel will remain suspeiuled in the air in the form oli small ,e'lohulei-n lhe pumping of the mixture into the leuk huilils up apiessure therein., and this pressure is maintained during the operation o t the apparatus. rllhe pressure will be indicated liv the ,gag-e T.. and as the pressure increases :ibm'e the desired limit the pressure responsive ironi a suit lfroni 'ill lllll (iii 1 to the. burner,

member /ll will Serve to operate the valve in the manner previously stated to reduce the proportionate amount et air supplied to the cylinder i9. The pressure 'maintained :in the tank l0 serves to torce the liquid fuel troni the liot'toin ot the tank ltf to the burner dal tlirouglithe pipe 5l, the supply oil oil to the luuiner being' regulated by the valve jin' iter supporting: eoia'ihustiiui will he supi'llied to the burner through pipe i8 and may lle regulated ily the valve 50. Thuslit `will he apiiarent that a single source ol pressure, that, is, the preC ure Within the tank 10, is utilized 'lor :toreiue hotli liquid fuel and air lVith the apparatus deseribed. a siriall proportion ot' the 'liuel 'will he supplied to the hurner ivitlrtlie air paseing through the pipe del, and in praet'aee it has been 'found that the presence oil? this relatively sniall proportion ot iuel greatly adds to the. action ot the burner, rendering; the latter more etlieient and .materially iinprovinpg the eolnluistion. he `lornurtiou ot earben on tli 'urnaee or other walls nl the it apparatus in eonneetien with which the hui-ner is employed is inaterurlly reduced, and more heat units are derived troni a given quantity of jlfuel.

Freni the 'foregoing it will lie :unimi-ent that l provide a method ot ilioriuine; tuel eliameswhieh Compri-les in its broadest ser.' the use oilf a eoiuhustion s'lupportinp; medium eueh air tor reiulering1 a fuel. oil or the like eoi'nhuffitihle, and in suspending or sun ilarly7 carrying); iu the body ot the air a rela-- tively small percentage ottuel. More specifically, the present method comprises nui:- ing' air Wi li, a liquid tuel, separating the greater portion of the uel trein the air to lea n, a small `proportion ol fuel Suspended in 'the air, and supplying tlne eil and the air to a burner where combustion is adapted to take place.

lt is to he understood that the torni el? the apparatus herewith shown and deseriluul as well as the various steps ol the methodN are le he taken as preferred examples el`I the saine and that various eliaiiues in the shape` sii/.e and :i1-rangenlent et parts, and in the ,-teiia ot the method, may he iliade without deilartiup,- troni the spirit ot' the ,invention or the seope et the sulijoined claims.

,l claim:

i. llipparatus ot the Character deserilied comprising a tank, a compressor, ineans for suplfiliyinp liquid iluel air to said Conim presser. a pipe connecting` said compressor to said tank Wliereliy air and fuel may lie inunped into the latter under preesurem said air and fuel keine' adapted te partially sepa-- rate in said tank, n'ieane for varying; the supply olf luel to said compressor according; to the level o'l the fuel in .said tank, means ttor varying the supply et air 'to said eompressor according t-o the pressure in said tank, and a pair et pipes connected to said tank adjaeent the top and bottoni thereot respectively and adapted to be Connected to a burner.

Apparatus ol tlie Character described Comprising a tank, a compressor, ineens 'tor supplying; liquid iueland air to said Coinpressor, a pipe connecting said compressor to said tank whereby air and luel inay he pumped into the latter under pressure, the air and fuel heine' adapted to partially sep arate in said tank, a valve adapted to eontrol the .supply ol tuel to said Compressor, a float arranged in said tank and eoiitrolling said y'z rljve, ineens :tor varying the supply et air to said Compressorl recording to the pressure in said tank, and a pair ot pipes rounected to said tank adjacent the top and bottoni thereof respectively and adapted to he connected to a burner.

3. Apparatus ot the characterdescribed Comprising' a tank, a eonipreseor, a pipe adapted to supply liquid tuel to said eoinpresser, a portion ot said pipe extending into said tank, a pipe adapted to supply air te said compressor, ineans eonneeting said compressor to said tank wher-elly air and ifuel may lie pumped into the latter under pressure, the air and Juel being adaptn ed to partially separate in said tank, a valve arranged in the portion ot said tuel pipe extendingv into said tank, a float arranged in said tank and adapted to Control said valve to vary the passage ot fuel therethrough aeeording to the level of the fuel in said tank, a valve arranged in said air pipe, pressure responsive ine-ans adapted to control said last nained valve according` to the pressure :in .said tank, and a pair of pipes connected te said tank adjaeent the top and bottoni thereof respectively and adapted to be Connected to amr burner.

lfpflpparatus oil the character described Comprising a tank, a compressor, means for supplyingl liquid fuel and air to said com.l pressoir, a pipe conneetlnp4 said eonipresser to said 'tank Wl'iereby air and 'luel may lie iuuuped into the latter under pressure, a hafl'le arranged in said tank in the path oil fuel and air discharged thereinto Afrom said Compressor, means for varying the supply ot' air to said Compressor aeeording to the pressure-e in said tank, and a pair et pipes connected to said tank adjacent the top and bottom thereof respeetively and adapted to lee Connected to a burner.

5. Apparatus ot the Character described comprising a tank, a compressor, means 'tor supplying liquid V'fuel and air to said coinpressor, a pipe connecting said compressor to said tank Wliereliy air and fuel may he pumped into the latter under pressure, a cenieal battle arranged in said tank in the path of fuel and air discharged thereinto trein said Compressor, the base of said baille being amngecl adjacent and having portions Spaoedflv'om the Wall of said tank, a 'ocl having one enel portion Contacting with the lower `portion of said baille and having Vits, oppose end portion contacting with the Wall of Vthe tank, means 'for Varying the supply of fuel to `smid compressor according to the level ofthe fuel 1n smcl tank, means' for Ymfymg the supply of all to said compressor mrcorl ing to the pressure in said tank, :md a pair of' pipes Connected toV said tank adjacent ille lop and bottom thereof l'ospectxf'ely nml adapted to be connected co :L burner.

SAB'UEL ll. FR llylCY. 

